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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."